From the man who broke the state title drought in 1968 and then went on to coach the next generation of champions, to two other members of the formidable water polo team; the sub-committee organising the Singleton Amateur Swimming Club’s 90th anniversary dinner has a wealth of knowledge. And, they have been busy sharing it to ensure one of the state’s oldest clubs is accurately acknowledged, along with celebrated.
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With Barry Moore (life member), Brian Coe, and Ray Robinson (life member), easily recalling tales from the past like it was yesterday, and current coach, Melissa Geale, able to chime in with recent news. But as they prepare to write a new chapter another life member, Martin Phillips, says any discussion about the SASC has to include the unique story of their only Olympic representative – Kevin Hallet.
It was a challenge for him to even raise the funds to attend the 1948 London games - and the experience not glamorous at all. On June 25 the Australian Olympic Team departed from Sydney Airport in an aeroplane known as a ‘Constellation’.
The plane had a range of 3635 kms and it was necessary to land at Darwin to re-fuel, overnight at Singapore, re-fuel at Calcutta, overnight at Karachi, overnight at Cairo and re-fuel at Tripoli. The team arrived in London after four days. They stayed in dormitories with 15 to 20 other athletes at the Richmond RAF Base on bunks, and trained at the Battersea Baths moving closer to Wembley Stadium prior to the swimming events.
Mr Hallet also captain coached the well-drilled water polo team, added the former goalkeeper, Mr Coe. The team’s short but successful stint on the competitive scene saw them win three consecutive country titles. “The first time we entered in 1960 we didn’t do too well but then we got serious about it and won in 1961,1962 and 1963,” he explains.
This was not surprising as the team included many state swimmers. The original full squad being: John Jowett, Ken McNally, Brian Coe, Frank Vines, Rob Solman, Bob Henderson, Darcy Rapp, Allan McKnight, Richard Roffey, Ray Robinson and of course, Kevin Hallet. Mr Coe says the side disbanded after the 1964 country championships as many of the younger players left town to embark on the next stage of their lives.
“So it would be great to get as many surviving members of the team back to Singleton for the dinner,” he says.
... we got serious about it and won in 1961, 1962 and 1963.
